Arbroath0–2East Fife

Arbroath went into today’s game as one of the few teams in the entire country to still have a 100% league record. This proud achievement meant manager Allan Moore had been awarded the League’s manager of the month for August which many fans and pundits often see as a curse!

Gayfield was lively with a thin layer of mist with the sun trying to burn through as a large army of Simon Murray fans all wearing ginger wigs created some early noise and fanfare as they celebrated of one gang’s final days in Scotland before moving to Australia.

Arbroath were without Jack Smith who has dislocated his elbow and Johnny Lindsay and Michael Wallace who are both recovering from groin and hip injuries respectively and new signing Jordan Lowdon was also missing through injury.

David Crawford had returned from the knee injury that forced him off against Montrose and it was the same 11 that started against Montrose two weeks ago, so David Crawford in goal, Mark Whatley and Craig Johnstone at right and left back respectively. Ali El-Zubiadi continued alongside Kevin Nicoll in the heart of defence. The midfield was made up of Bobby Linn on the right, Scott McBride on the left with Adam Hunter and Kieran Stewart playing centrally with Kevin Buchan partnering Paul McManus up front.

New on loan signing from Dundee Dylan Carreiro had to settle for a place on the bench alongside Simon Murray, Michael Travis, Ricky Little, Connor Birse, Kieran McWalter and Scott Morrison.

East Fife kicked off the first half attacking towards the harbour goal. For once there was no blowing gale so both teams could enjoy the same conditions.

Arbroath were handed a great opportunity when Gary Naysmith fouled Bobby Linn just to the left of the East Fife box about 22 yards out. Scott Bride took responsibility and his left foot shot hit the top of the bar then bounced back into play. East Fife responded with a series of corners but nothing came close to troubling Crawford. In fact the only thing Crawford had to do in the first half was to deal with a dive by Kevin Smith which enraged him and the referee ended up talking to both players.

Scott McBride did manage to strike towards goal from a tight angle but his shot didn’t trouble Fleming in the East Fife goal. Arbroath edged the possession in the first half but East Fife did well to keep them at bay without really doing anything when they did win possession back.

Bobby Linn was immediately chased by two defenders every time he got the ball meaning it was incredibly difficult to get past on his own. As the first half ended Keiran Stewart needed help to leave the pitch as it looked like he had taken a knock.

Half time – Arbroath 0 – 0 East Fife

The second half started with a double substation for Arbroath with Dylan Carreiro coming on for Keiran Stewart and Simon Murray replacing Kevin Buchan. The afternoon also changed as the mist turned into a thick fog and blocked the sun out forcing a chill in the air.

Adam Hunter went close with a long range effort for Arbroath but moments later Arbroath conceded only their third goal all season as Allan Walker pounced to poke home. Arbroath lost possession in midfield and the ball was crossed into the box as it looked like it had been kept out with a Crawford save and a hitting the post but it came to Walker who made no mistake.

Arbroath tried to rally from the goal and won another free kick in a dangerous position and this time Bobby Linn took responsibility and as Fleming fumbled the original effort Murray ran in but Fleming was able to pounce to smother it before Murray got his boot to it.

Moments later Kevin Smith picked up the ball in midfield and ran at goal from the left wing. He shot from distance but David Crawford did manage to get to it but he couldn’t get enough on it to push it round the post and the ball went into the right hand side of the net. Arbroath had been hit with two quick strikes and more worryingly two quick goals in the space of 5 minutes. Could they come back?

Arbroath turned up the intensity and tried to force their way back into the game but this left them more vulnerable at the rear and were lucky as East Fife struck the post again in the 72nd minute . Bobby Linn was then shown a yellow card for a late tackle on Kevin Smith. Manager Allan Moore made his final change as young Kieran McWalter came on to replace Craig Johnstone.

Allan Fleming kept his team in it as in the 78th minute Bobby Linn rifled in a strike from 18 yards out but Fleming rose up and pushed it over the bar for a corner kick. Arbroath were really going for it and efforts from Carreiro, Murray and Linn all followed in the next few minutes. However Fleming was keeping his best save for last as he somehow managed to save from Dylan Carreiro. It was an unbelievable save and many Arbroath fans will be going home tonight still wondering how it didn’t go in. Fleming still had time to make another good as this time Murray threatened but Fleming got down to his right. As the clock ran down East Fife made their changes to see out the clock.

Full time – Arbroath 0 – 2 East Fife

The first defeat of the season and our first game without scoring, although it wasn’t for the lack of trying! The first half didn’t really see either team get out of the blocks and Arbroath seemed to be not as fluent and as energetic compared to the recent high standard which has set. Perhaps the break didn’t help but take nothing away from East Fife.

They have a good squad of experienced players and showed today they will be one of the challengers for the title. No doubt the management team will look to see what could have been done differently but with the introduction of Carreiro there is another player which seems to add excitement and flair to the team and I have no doubt we will be back winning again soon.

Next up is Barry Ferguson’s Clyde away at Broadwood on Saturday. Hope to see you there!